13C Metabolic Flux Analysis
K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills
Estimates reaction fluxes inside cells from steady-state carbon-13 labeling data with a bundled mfapy-based solver, and reports which fluxes the data pin down.
Build, read, validate, modify SBML biological network models via the libSBML Python API.
$ npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills libsbml-network-modeling --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling .claude/skills/libsbml-network-modeling && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "libsbml-network-modeling" agent skill from https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills/tree/main/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling into .claude/skills/libsbml-network-modeling/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "libsbml-network-modeling", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills/tree/main/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modelingType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills libsbml-network-modeling --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling .agents/skills/libsbml-network-modeling && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "libsbml-network-modeling" agent skill from https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills/tree/main/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling into .agents/skills/libsbml-network-modeling/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "libsbml-network-modeling", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills libsbml-network-modeling --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling .cursor/skills/libsbml-network-modeling && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "libsbml-network-modeling" agent skill from https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills/tree/main/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling into .cursor/skills/libsbml-network-modeling/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "libsbml-network-modeling", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.git --path skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills libsbml-network-modeling --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling .gemini/skills/libsbml-network-modeling && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "libsbml-network-modeling" agent skill from https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills/tree/main/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling into .gemini/skills/libsbml-network-modeling/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "libsbml-network-modeling", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills libsbml-network-modelingInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling .github/skills/libsbml-network-modeling && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "libsbml-network-modeling" agent skill from https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills/tree/main/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling into .github/skills/libsbml-network-modeling/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "libsbml-network-modeling", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills libsbml-network-modeling --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling .opencode/skills/libsbml-network-modeling && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "libsbml-network-modeling" agent skill from https://github.com/jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills/tree/main/skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling into .opencode/skills/libsbml-network-modeling/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "libsbml-network-modeling", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
libsbml-network-modelingBuild, read, validate, modify SBML biological network models via the libSBML Python API.
Libsbml Network Modeling is an agent skill from jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills. Build, read, validate, modify SBML biological network models via the libSBML Python API. SBML Levels 1–3, reactions/kinetic laws, species, rules, FBC extension for flux balance, conversion. Interoperates with COBRApy, Tellurium/RoadRunner, COPASI. Use when programmatically constructing ODE or constraint-based metabolic/signaling models in SBML.
Its SKILL.md is about 8.8k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. It is a single SKILL.md file with no bundled scripts.
It sits in Research & Science, covering Bioinformatics. It works with Python. The repository describes itself as: 197 bioinformatics & life science skills for Claude Code and AI agents — BixBench 92.0% accuracy. RNA-seq, single-cell, drug discovery, proteomics, and more. Powers OmicsHorizon.
6 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 82c862c. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Shell commands in SKILL.md call:
pipFrom the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Hosts in commands or code, which the agent is likely to contact:
ebi.ac.ukAlso links to:
sbml.orgdoi.orggithub.comFrom URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Libsbml Network Modeling loads about 8.8k tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 93 tokens; SKILL.md has 1,514 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.
The full file from jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills at commit 82c862c, republished under its LGPL-2.1 licence (© jaechang-hits). 1,514 words, ~8,774 tokens.
.claude/skills/libsbml-network-modeling/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).libSBML is the reference library for reading, writing, creating, and validating SBML (Systems Biology Markup Language) models. SBML is the community standard for encoding biochemical reaction networks — ODE models, signaling cascades, and genome-scale metabolic models all use it. The Python API (python-libsbml) exposes a full object model covering compartments, species, reactions, kinetic laws, rules, constraints, and every SBML extension. Models saved as SBML .xml files are interoperable with COPASI, Tellurium, RoadRunner, COBRApy, and BioModels Database.
cobrapy-metabolic-modeling instead when you need to run FBA, FVA, or gene knockouts on an already-built metabolic model — libSBML is for constructing and editing the SBML file itselftellurium directly when you want an integrated Python environment for both SBML authoring (Antimony syntax) and ODE simulation without low-level XML manipulationpython-libsbml, numpy, pandas (optional, for matrix extraction)cobra (COBRApy, for FBA after SBML load), tellurium (for SBML↔Antimony conversion and simulation).xml), or built from scratch in Python; BioModels Database SBML files are freely available at https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biomodels/pip install python-libsbml numpy pandas
# Optional simulation/FBA integrations:
pip install cobra telluriumLoad an SBML file, inspect its content, and modify a parameter value:
import libsbml
# Read an SBML model file
reader = libsbml.SBMLReader()
doc = reader.readSBMLFromFile("BIOMD0000000012.xml")
# Check for errors
if doc.getNumErrors() > 0:
doc.printErrors()
model = doc.getModel()
print(f"Model: {model.getId()}")
print(f" Compartments: {model.getNumCompartments()}")
print(f" Species: {model.getNumSpecies()}")
print(f" Reactions: {model.getNumReactions()}")
# Modify a global parameter
param = model.getParameter("Km")
if param:
old_val = param.getValue()
param.setValue(0.05)
print(f"Updated Km: {old_val} → {param.getValue()}")
# Write modified model back to file
writer = libsbml.SBMLWriter()
writer.writeSBMLToFile(doc, "BIOMD0000000012_modified.xml")
print("Saved modified model.")Load SBML files from disk or strings, check parse errors, and run full SBML spec validation.
import libsbml
# Read from file
reader = libsbml.SBMLReader()
doc = reader.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
# Check for fatal parse errors
n_errors = doc.getNumErrors()
print(f"Parse errors: {n_errors}")
for i in range(n_errors):
err = doc.getError(i)
severity = err.getSeverityAsString()
print(f" [{severity}] line {err.getLine()}: {err.getMessage()}")
# Check the SBML Level and Version
print(f"SBML Level {doc.getLevel()} Version {doc.getVersion()}")
# Read from in-memory XML string
xml_string = open("model.xml").read()
doc2 = reader.readSBMLFromString(xml_string)
model = doc2.getModel()
print(f"Model id: {model.getId()}, name: {model.getName()}")import libsbml
# Full consistency / validation check (more thorough than parse error check)
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
# Enable all consistency checks
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_GENERAL_CONSISTENCY, True)
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_IDENTIFIER_CONSISTENCY, True)
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_UNITS_CONSISTENCY, True)
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_MATHML_CONSISTENCY, True)
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_SBO_CONSISTENCY, True)
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_OVERDETERMINED_MODEL, True)
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_MODELING_PRACTICE, True)
n_errors = doc.checkConsistency()
print(f"Consistency check: {n_errors} issue(s)")
for i in range(n_errors):
err = doc.getError(i)
print(f" [{err.getSeverityAsString()}] {err.getShortMessage()}: {err.getMessage()[:120]}")Build a complete SBML document by adding compartments, species, and reactions programmatically.
import libsbml
# Create a new SBML Level 3 Version 2 document
doc = libsbml.SBMLDocument(3, 2)
model = doc.createModel()
model.setId("simple_enzymatic_model")
model.setName("Simple Enzymatic Reaction Model")
model.setTimeUnits("second")
model.setSubstanceUnits("mole")
model.setVolumeUnits("litre")
model.setExtentUnits("mole")
# Add a compartment (cytoplasm)
comp = model.createCompartment()
comp.setId("cytoplasm")
comp.setName("Cytoplasm")
comp.setConstant(True)
comp.setSize(1.0) # 1 litre
comp.setSpatialDimensions(3)
comp.setUnits("litre")
# Add species: substrate S, enzyme E, complex ES, product P
species_data = [
("S", "Substrate", 0.01, True), # (id, name, initialConc, boundaryCondition)
("E", "Enzyme", 0.001, False),
("ES", "Enzyme-Substrate", 0.0, False),
("P", "Product", 0.0, True),
]
for sp_id, sp_name, init_conc, boundary in species_data:
sp = model.createSpecies()
sp.setId(sp_id)
sp.setName(sp_name)
sp.setCompartment("cytoplasm")
sp.setInitialConcentration(init_conc)
sp.setBoundaryCondition(boundary)
sp.setHasOnlySubstanceUnits(False)
sp.setConstant(False)
print(f"Added species: {sp_id} (init={init_conc} M, boundary={boundary})")
print(f"Model has {model.getNumSpecies()} species and {model.getNumCompartments()} compartment(s)")Add reactions with stoichiometry and MathML kinetic law formulas.
import libsbml
# Continuing from Module 2: add Michaelis-Menten kinetics reactions
# Forward: S + E -> ES (association)
# Reverse: ES -> S + E (dissociation)
# Catalytic: ES -> P + E (product release)
# First, add kinetic parameters as global parameters
params = [
("kf", 1e6, "litre per mole per second"), # forward rate constant
("kr", 1e-3, "per second"), # reverse rate constant
("kcat", 0.1, "per second"), # catalytic rate constant
]
for p_id, p_val, p_units in params:
param = model.createParameter()
param.setId(p_id)
param.setValue(p_val)
param.setConstant(True)
# Units are for documentation — libSBML stores them as unit definitions
print(f"Added parameter: {p_id} = {p_val}")
def add_reaction(model, rxn_id, rxn_name, reactants, products, formula):
"""Helper: create a reaction with MathML kinetic law."""
rxn = model.createReaction()
rxn.setId(rxn_id)
rxn.setName(rxn_name)
rxn.setReversible(False)
for sp_id, stoich in reactants:
sr = rxn.createReactant()
sr.setSpecies(sp_id)
sr.setStoichiometry(stoich)
sr.setConstant(True)
for sp_id, stoich in products:
sr = rxn.createProduct()
sr.setSpecies(sp_id)
sr.setStoichiometry(stoich)
sr.setConstant(True)
kl = rxn.createKineticLaw()
math_ast = libsbml.parseL3Formula(formula)
if math_ast is None:
raise ValueError(f"Could not parse formula: {formula}")
kl.setMath(math_ast)
return rxn
add_reaction(model, "v1", "Association", [("S",1),("E",1)], [("ES",1)], "kf * S * E * cytoplasm")
add_reaction(model, "v2", "Dissociation", [("ES",1)], [("S",1),("E",1)], "kr * ES * cytoplasm")
add_reaction(model, "v3", "Catalysis", [("ES",1)], [("P",1),("E",1)], "kcat * ES * cytoplasm")
print(f"Model has {model.getNumReactions()} reactions")
writer = libsbml.SBMLWriter()
writer.writeSBMLToFile(doc, "michaelis_menten.xml")
print("Saved michaelis_menten.xml")Inspect and modify species properties — initial amounts vs concentrations, boundary conditions, compartment volumes.
import libsbml
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
# Iterate species and print their properties
print(f"{'ID':<12} {'Compartment':<15} {'InitConc':>10} {'InitAmt':>10} {'Boundary':>10} {'Constant':>10}")
print("-" * 70)
for i in range(model.getNumSpecies()):
sp = model.getSpecies(i)
init_conc = sp.getInitialConcentration() if sp.isSetInitialConcentration() else "—"
init_amt = sp.getInitialAmount() if sp.isSetInitialAmount() else "—"
print(f"{sp.getId():<12} {sp.getCompartment():<15} {str(init_conc):>10} {str(init_amt):>10} "
f"{str(sp.getBoundaryCondition()):>10} {str(sp.getConstant()):>10}")
# Modify compartment volume (e.g. scale to a smaller cell)
comp = model.getCompartment("cytoplasm")
if comp:
old_size = comp.getSize()
comp.setSize(old_size * 0.1)
print(f"\nCytoplasm volume: {old_size} → {comp.getSize()} litre")
# Set a species initial concentration by ID
sp = model.getSpecies("S")
if sp:
sp.setInitialConcentration(0.005)
print(f"Updated [S] initial concentration to {sp.getInitialConcentration()} M")Add assignment rules, rate rules, and algebraic rules to model derived quantities or conserved relationships.
import libsbml
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
# AssignmentRule: computes a variable algebraically at every time step
# Example: total enzyme E_total = E + ES (conservation relationship, monitoring only)
ar = model.createAssignmentRule()
ar.setVariable("E_total") # must be an existing parameter or species id
# First add the target as a parameter if needed
if model.getParameter("E_total") is None:
p = model.createParameter()
p.setId("E_total")
p.setConstant(False) # MUST be False for assignment rule targets
p.setValue(0.0)
math_ast = libsbml.parseL3Formula("E + ES")
ar.setMath(math_ast)
print(f"Added AssignmentRule: E_total = E + ES")
# RateRule: specifies dX/dt directly, bypassing reaction-based ODE generation
# Useful for custom non-mass-action dynamics
rr = model.createRateRule()
rr.setVariable("P") # species P already has boundary=True to allow rate rules
math_ast2 = libsbml.parseL3Formula("kcat * ES * cytoplasm")
rr.setMath(math_ast2)
print(f"Added RateRule: dP/dt = kcat * ES * cytoplasm")
# Constraint: model invariant that simulators should monitor (not enforced computationally)
constraint = model.createConstraint()
math_ast3 = libsbml.parseL3Formula("S >= 0")
constraint.setMath(math_ast3)
msg = libsbml.XMLNode.convertStringToXMLNode("<message><p>Substrate cannot be negative</p></message>")
constraint.setMessage(msg)
print(f"Added Constraint: S >= 0")
print(f"Model rules: {model.getNumRules()}, constraints: {model.getNumConstraints()}")Use the SBML FBC package to encode genome-scale metabolic models with flux bounds and an objective function for use with COBRApy or other FBA solvers.
import libsbml
# Build a minimal FBC-enabled model (3-reaction toy network)
doc = libsbml.SBMLDocument(3, 2)
# Enable FBC package (required)
doc.enablePackage(libsbml.FbcExtension.getXmlnsL3V1V2(), "fbc", True)
doc.setPackageRequired("fbc", False)
model = doc.createModel()
model.setId("toy_fba_model")
fbc_plugin = model.getPlugin("fbc")
fbc_plugin.setStrict(True)
# Add a compartment and species
comp = model.createCompartment()
comp.setId("c")
comp.setConstant(True)
comp.setSize(1.0)
for sp_id in ["A", "B", "C"]:
sp = model.createSpecies()
sp.setId(sp_id)
sp.setCompartment("c")
sp.setInitialAmount(0.0)
sp.setBoundaryCondition(False)
sp.setConstant(False)
sp.setHasOnlySubstanceUnits(True)
sp_fbc = sp.getPlugin("fbc")
sp_fbc.setChemicalFormula("")
# Add flux bound parameters
bounds = {"lb_0": 0.0, "lb_neg1000": -1000.0, "ub_1000": 1000.0}
for b_id, b_val in bounds.items():
p = model.createParameter()
p.setId(b_id)
p.setValue(b_val)
p.setConstant(True)
def add_fbc_reaction(model, rxn_id, reactants, products, lb_id, ub_id):
rxn = model.createReaction()
rxn.setId(rxn_id)
rxn.setReversible(lb_id == "lb_neg1000")
rxn.setFast(False)
for sp_id, stoich in reactants:
sr = rxn.createReactant(); sr.setSpecies(sp_id); sr.setStoichiometry(stoich); sr.setConstant(True)
for sp_id, stoich in products:
sr = rxn.createProduct(); sr.setSpecies(sp_id); sr.setStoichiometry(stoich); sr.setConstant(True)
rxn_fbc = rxn.getPlugin("fbc")
rxn_fbc.setLowerFluxBound(lb_id)
rxn_fbc.setUpperFluxBound(ub_id)
return rxn
add_fbc_reaction(model, "r1", [("A", 1)], [("B", 1)], "lb_0", "ub_1000")
add_fbc_reaction(model, "r2", [("B", 1)], [("C", 1)], "lb_0", "ub_1000")
add_fbc_reaction(model, "r3", [("A", 1)], [], "lb_0", "ub_1000") # exchange
# Add objective function: maximize r2 flux
obj = fbc_plugin.createObjective()
obj.setId("maximize_r2")
obj.setType("maximize")
fbc_plugin.setActiveObjectiveId("maximize_r2")
flux_obj = obj.createFluxObjective()
flux_obj.setReaction("r2")
flux_obj.setCoefficient(1.0)
writer = libsbml.SBMLWriter()
writer.writeSBMLToFile(doc, "toy_fba.xml")
print(f"Saved toy_fba.xml (Level {doc.getLevel()} Version {doc.getVersion()}, FBC enabled)")
print(f"Reactions: {model.getNumReactions()}, Objective: maximize r2")Write models to file or string, convert between SBML levels, and export to Antimony notation via Tellurium.
import libsbml
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("michaelis_menten.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
print(f"Loaded: Level {doc.getLevel()}, Version {doc.getVersion()}")
# Write to XML string (useful for in-memory transmission)
writer = libsbml.SBMLWriter()
xml_string = writer.writeSBMLToString(doc)
print(f"XML string length: {len(xml_string)} characters")
# Convert Level 3 → Level 2 (for compatibility with older tools)
# SBMLDocument.setLevelAndVersion handles conversion automatically
props = libsbml.ConversionProperties()
props.addOption("setLevelAndVersion", True, "Convert level and version")
props.addOption("targetLevel", 2)
props.addOption("targetVersion", 4)
status = doc.convert(props)
if status == libsbml.LIBSBML_OPERATION_SUCCESS:
writer.writeSBMLToFile(doc, "michaelis_menten_L2V4.xml")
print(f"Converted to L2V4 → michaelis_menten_L2V4.xml")
else:
print(f"Conversion failed with code: {status}")# Export SBML to Antimony (human-readable) via Tellurium (optional)
try:
import tellurium as te
antimony_str = te.sbmlToAntimony(open("michaelis_menten.xml").read())
print("Antimony notation:")
print(antimony_str[:600])
with open("michaelis_menten.ant", "w") as f:
f.write(antimony_str)
print("Saved michaelis_menten.ant")
except ImportError:
print("tellurium not installed — skipping Antimony export")Every libSBML session starts with an SBMLDocument that owns exactly one Model. Extension packages (FBC, qual, layout, groups, distrib) are accessed as plugins retrieved via object.getPlugin("fbc"). Plugins are only available after enabling the package on the document with doc.enablePackage(...). Calling getPlugin on a document that has not enabled the package returns None.
import libsbml
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("iJO1366.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
# Check which packages are active
for i in range(doc.getNumPlugins()):
pkg = doc.getPlugin(i)
print(f"Package: {pkg.getPackageName()} (level {pkg.getLevel()})")
# Access FBC plugin
fbc_plugin = model.getPlugin("fbc")
if fbc_plugin:
print(f"FBC strict mode: {fbc_plugin.getStrict()}")
print(f"Objectives: {fbc_plugin.getNumObjectives()}")Kinetic laws in SBML are stored as MathML. libSBML parses formula strings to an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) using libsbml.parseL3Formula(string) and converts AST back to a string with libsbml.formulaToL3String(ast). Always check that parseL3Formula returns non-None before assigning to a kinetic law — a None return means parsing failed silently.
import libsbml
# Parse and inspect a kinetic formula
formula = "Vmax * S / (Km + S) * cytoplasm"
ast = libsbml.parseL3Formula(formula)
if ast is None:
print("ERROR: formula could not be parsed")
else:
print(f"Parsed formula: {libsbml.formulaToL3String(ast)}")
print(f"AST root type: {ast.getType()}") # e.g., AST_TIMES
# Retrieve a kinetic law formula from an existing reaction
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
rxn = model.getReaction(0)
if rxn and rxn.isSetKineticLaw():
kl = rxn.getKineticLaw()
formula_str = libsbml.formulaToL3String(kl.getMath())
print(f"Reaction '{rxn.getId()}' kinetic law: {formula_str}")Goal: Download a BioModels model, adjust kinetic parameters, and run an ODE simulation with Tellurium/RoadRunner.
import libsbml
import urllib.request
# 1. Download SBML from BioModels Database (BIOMD0000000012 = Tyson 1991 cell cycle)
url = "https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biomodels/model/download/BIOMD0000000012?filename=BIOMD0000000012_url.xml"
urllib.request.urlretrieve(url, "BIOMD0000000012.xml")
print("Downloaded BIOMD0000000012.xml")
# 2. Load and inspect the model
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("BIOMD0000000012.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
print(f"Model: {model.getId()} | Level {doc.getLevel()} Version {doc.getVersion()}")
print(f"Species: {model.getNumSpecies()}, Reactions: {model.getNumReactions()}")
# 3. Print all global parameters and their values
print("\nGlobal parameters:")
for i in range(model.getNumParameters()):
p = model.getParameter(i)
print(f" {p.getId():<20} = {p.getValue()}")
# 4. Modify a parameter (example: increase a rate constant by 2x)
target_param = model.getParameter("k3") # parameter name varies by model
if target_param:
old_val = target_param.getValue()
target_param.setValue(old_val * 2.0)
print(f"\nModified k3: {old_val} → {target_param.getValue()}")
# 5. Save modified model
writer = libsbml.SBMLWriter()
writer.writeSBMLToFile(doc, "BIOMD0000000012_modified.xml")
print("Saved modified model.")
# 6. Simulate with Tellurium (optional)
try:
import tellurium as te
r = te.loadSBMLModel(open("BIOMD0000000012_modified.xml").read())
result = r.simulate(0, 100, 500)
print(f"Simulation complete: {result.shape[0]} time points, {result.shape[1]-1} species")
r.plot(result, title="BIOMD0000000012 modified simulation")
except ImportError:
print("tellurium not installed — simulation step skipped")Goal: Construct a full Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics SBML model and verify it passes validation.
import libsbml
def build_mm_model() -> libsbml.SBMLDocument:
"""Create a Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics SBML L3V2 model."""
doc = libsbml.SBMLDocument(3, 2)
model = doc.createModel()
model.setId("michaelis_menten")
model.setName("Michaelis-Menten Enzyme Kinetics")
model.setTimeUnits("second")
model.setSubstanceUnits("mole")
model.setVolumeUnits("litre")
model.setExtentUnits("mole")
# Compartment
c = model.createCompartment()
c.setId("cell"); c.setConstant(True); c.setSize(1e-15); c.setSpatialDimensions(3)
# Species: S (substrate), E (enzyme), ES (complex), P (product)
for sp_id, init_conc, boundary in [
("S", 1e-3, False), ("E", 1e-6, False),
("ES", 0.0, False), ("P", 0.0, False)
]:
sp = model.createSpecies()
sp.setId(sp_id); sp.setCompartment("cell")
sp.setInitialConcentration(init_conc)
sp.setBoundaryCondition(boundary); sp.setConstant(False)
sp.setHasOnlySubstanceUnits(False)
# Parameters
for p_id, p_val in [("kf", 1e6), ("kr", 1e-3), ("kcat", 0.1)]:
p = model.createParameter()
p.setId(p_id); p.setValue(p_val); p.setConstant(True)
# Reactions
def make_rxn(m, rxn_id, reacts, prods, formula):
rxn = m.createReaction(); rxn.setId(rxn_id); rxn.setReversible(False)
for sp, s in reacts:
sr = rxn.createReactant(); sr.setSpecies(sp); sr.setStoichiometry(s); sr.setConstant(True)
for sp, s in prods:
sr = rxn.createProduct(); sr.setSpecies(sp); sr.setStoichiometry(s); sr.setConstant(True)
kl = rxn.createKineticLaw()
ast = libsbml.parseL3Formula(formula)
if ast is None: raise ValueError(f"Bad formula: {formula}")
kl.setMath(ast)
make_rxn(model, "v_forward", [("S",1),("E",1)], [("ES",1)], "kf * S * E * cell")
make_rxn(model, "v_reverse", [("ES",1)], [("S",1),("E",1)], "kr * ES * cell")
make_rxn(model, "v_catalysis",[("ES",1)], [("P",1),("E",1)], "kcat * ES * cell")
return doc
doc = build_mm_model()
# Validate
doc.setConsistencyChecks(libsbml.LIBSBML_CAT_UNITS_CONSISTENCY, False) # skip units for brevity
n_errors = doc.checkConsistency()
print(f"Validation: {n_errors} issue(s)")
for i in range(n_errors):
e = doc.getError(i)
print(f" [{e.getSeverityAsString()}] {e.getMessage()}")
writer = libsbml.SBMLWriter()
writer.writeSBMLToFile(doc, "michaelis_menten.xml")
print("Saved michaelis_menten.xml")
print(f"Reactions: {doc.getModel().getNumReactions()}, Species: {doc.getModel().getNumSpecies()}")Goal: Parse a loaded SBML model and extract the stoichiometry matrix and reaction/species lists for custom linear algebra or FBA analysis.
import libsbml
import numpy as np
import pandas as pd
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
n_species = model.getNumSpecies()
n_reactions = model.getNumReactions()
species_ids = [model.getSpecies(i).getId() for i in range(n_species)]
rxn_ids = [model.getReaction(i).getId() for i in range(n_reactions)]
# Build stoichiometry matrix S: rows=species, cols=reactions
S = np.zeros((n_species, n_reactions), dtype=float)
sp_index = {sp_id: idx for idx, sp_id in enumerate(species_ids)}
for j, rxn_id in enumerate(rxn_ids):
rxn = model.getReaction(rxn_id)
# Reactants: negative stoichiometry
for k in range(rxn.getNumReactants()):
sr = rxn.getReactant(k)
sp_id = sr.getSpecies()
if sp_id in sp_index:
S[sp_index[sp_id], j] -= sr.getStoichiometry()
# Products: positive stoichiometry
for k in range(rxn.getNumProducts()):
sr = rxn.getProduct(k)
sp_id = sr.getSpecies()
if sp_id in sp_index:
S[sp_index[sp_id], j] += sr.getStoichiometry()
# Create a labeled DataFrame for inspection
S_df = pd.DataFrame(S, index=species_ids, columns=rxn_ids)
print("Stoichiometry matrix (S):")
print(S_df.to_string())
print(f"\nMatrix shape: {S.shape} (species × reactions)")
# Null-space rank as a basic model check
rank = np.linalg.matrix_rank(S)
print(f"Rank of S: {rank}")
print(f"Degrees of freedom (flux modes): {n_reactions - rank}")Goal: Read a genome-scale metabolic model in SBML FBC format and load it into COBRApy for FBA analysis.
import libsbml
import cobra
import cobra.io
# Method A: use COBRApy's built-in SBML reader (wraps libSBML)
model_cobra = cobra.io.read_sbml_model("iJO1366.xml")
print(f"COBRApy model: {model_cobra.id}")
print(f" Reactions: {len(model_cobra.reactions)}")
print(f" Metabolites: {len(model_cobra.metabolites)}")
print(f" Genes: {len(model_cobra.genes)}")
# Run FBA
solution = model_cobra.optimize()
print(f"\nFBA objective value: {solution.objective_value:.4f}")
print(f"Status: {solution.status}")
# Method B: use libSBML to inspect FBC metadata before loading into COBRApy
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("iJO1366.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
fbc = model.getPlugin("fbc")
if fbc:
n_obj = fbc.getNumObjectives()
active_obj_id = fbc.getActiveObjectiveId()
print(f"\nlibSBML FBC: {n_obj} objective(s), active='{active_obj_id}'")
obj = fbc.getObjective(active_obj_id)
if obj:
print(f"Objective type: {obj.getType()}")
for i in range(obj.getNumFluxObjectives()):
fo = obj.getFluxObjective(i)
print(f" {fo.getReaction()} (coeff={fo.getCoefficient()})")| Parameter | Module | Default | Range / Options | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
level | SBMLDocument | 3 | 1, 2, 3 | SBML Level; use L3 for all new models; L2 for legacy tool compatibility |
version | SBMLDocument | 2 | 1–2 (L3); 1–4 (L2) | SBML Version within the Level; L3V2 is the current standard |
initialConcentration | Species | 0.0 | any float | Starting molar concentration; mutually exclusive with initialAmount |
hasOnlySubstanceUnits | Species | False | True, False | If True, kinetic laws reference amount (mol); if False, they reference concentration (M) |
boundaryCondition | Species | False | True, False | If True, ODE solver does not change this species — use for external inputs |
constant | Species/Parameter | True (Param) | True, False | False required for assignment rule targets and mutable parameters |
strict | FBC plugin | True | True, False | FBC strict mode enforces that all flux bounds are defined as parameters |
targetLevel / targetVersion | ConversionProperties | — | L/V integers | Target for doc.convert() level/version conversion |
LIBSBML_CAT_UNITS_CONSISTENCY | checkConsistency | True | True, False | Enable/disable unit dimension checking during validation |
Always check parseL3Formula return value: the function returns None on malformed input without raising an exception. Assigning None to kl.setMath() creates a model with a missing kinetic law that passes parsing but fails validation.
ast = libsbml.parseL3Formula("Vmax * S / (Km + S)")
if ast is None:
raise ValueError("Formula parse failed")
kl.setMath(ast)Set constant=False on assignment rule targets: any parameter or species that is the target of an AssignmentRule or RateRule must have constant set to False. A True value creates a constraint violation that fails consistency checking.
Multiply reaction rate by compartment volume in kinetic laws: SBML extent units are moles (or molecules), so rates must have units of extent/time. For species measured in concentration, multiply by compartment size: kf * S * E * compartment_volume. Omitting this factor is the most common kinetic law unit error.
Enable only the packages you use: calling doc.enablePackage() for unnecessary extensions (layout, groups) adds namespace declarations that confuse some downstream tools. Enable FBC only for FBA/FVA models; leave it off for pure ODE models.
Use readSBMLFromFile (top-level function) for quick loading: the convenience function libsbml.readSBMLFromFile(path) is equivalent to creating a SBMLReader instance and calling readSBMLFromFile on it. Both return an SBMLDocument; choose whichever is less verbose.
Validate before saving and after converting: run doc.checkConsistency() immediately before any writeSBMLToFile call and again after any level/version conversion. Conversion can introduce new warnings, especially for units.
When to use: audit an SBML model to document every reaction and its rate law before modifying parameters.
import libsbml
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
print(f"{'Reaction':<20} {'Reversible':<12} {'Kinetic Law'}")
print("-" * 80)
for i in range(model.getNumReactions()):
rxn = model.getReaction(i)
if rxn.isSetKineticLaw():
formula = libsbml.formulaToL3String(rxn.getKineticLaw().getMath())
else:
formula = "(no kinetic law)"
rev = "reversible" if rxn.getReversible() else "irreversible"
print(f"{rxn.getId():<20} {rev:<12} {formula}")When to use: sensitivity analysis — sweep a set of kinetic constants over a range of values and re-save an SBML model for each.
import libsbml
import copy
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
writer = libsbml.SBMLWriter()
# Parameter sweep: vary kcat and Km
sweep = [
{"kcat": 0.05, "Km": 0.01},
{"kcat": 0.10, "Km": 0.01},
{"kcat": 0.20, "Km": 0.01},
{"kcat": 0.10, "Km": 0.05},
]
for idx, params in enumerate(sweep):
# Re-read fresh copy each iteration to avoid cumulative edits
doc_i = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
model_i = doc_i.getModel()
for p_id, p_val in params.items():
p = model_i.getParameter(p_id)
if p:
p.setValue(p_val)
fname = f"model_sweep_{idx:03d}.xml"
writer.writeSBMLToFile(doc_i, fname)
print(f"Saved {fname}: {params}")When to use: initializing a custom ODE solver (e.g., scipy.integrate.solve_ivp) using SBML-defined initial conditions.
import libsbml
doc = libsbml.readSBMLFromFile("model.xml")
model = doc.getModel()
initial_conditions = {}
for i in range(model.getNumSpecies()):
sp = model.getSpecies(i)
if sp.isSetInitialConcentration():
initial_conditions[sp.getId()] = sp.getInitialConcentration()
elif sp.isSetInitialAmount():
# Convert amount to concentration using compartment volume
comp = model.getCompartment(sp.getCompartment())
vol = comp.getSize() if comp and comp.isSetSize() else 1.0
initial_conditions[sp.getId()] = sp.getInitialAmount() / vol
else:
initial_conditions[sp.getId()] = 0.0
print("Initial conditions (concentration in model units):")
for sp_id, val in initial_conditions.items():
print(f" {sp_id}: {val:.6g}")| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
ImportError: No module named 'libsbml' | Package not installed | pip install python-libsbml; note the import name is libsbml, not python_libsbml |
parseL3Formula returns None | Malformed formula string (wrong operator, undefined function) | Check formula syntax; use libsbml.formulaToL3String on a known-good AST to see expected format; * is multiplication, ^ or pow() for exponentiation |
| Consistency check reports unit errors | Kinetic law missing compartment volume factor | Multiply rate formula by compartment volume: kf * S * E * V; set substance_units = "mole" and volume_units = "litre" on the model |
getPlugin("fbc") returns None | FBC package not enabled on the document | Call doc.enablePackage(libsbml.FbcExtension.getXmlnsL3V1V2(), "fbc", True) before reading or building the model |
| Level/version conversion returns non-zero code | Source model has features unsupported in target level | Check doc.getNumErrors() after conversion; SBML L1 has severe limitations (no compartments, no units); prefer L2V4 as minimum target |
| Assignment rule target raises "model is overdetermined" | Species or parameter is constant=True but targeted by a rule | Set constant=False on the rule target; constant=True means the value is fixed and cannot be overridden by rules |
COBRApy read_sbml_model fails on custom-built SBML | FBC strict=True but flux bounds not defined as parameters | Ensure every reaction's FBC plugin has setLowerFluxBound and setUpperFluxBound pointing to existing parameter IDs |
| Large model read is slow (>10 seconds) | Very large SBML file (genome-scale model, 10k+ reactions) | Normal — libSBML XML parsing is single-threaded; use readSBMLFromFile (not string-based) and avoid re-reading in loops |
formulaToL3String for analytical steady-state derivation© jaechang-hits, LGPL-2.1. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file
Just SKILL.md in skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling of jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 82c862c
We found 1 copy of this SKILL.md (exact, near-identical or edited) in other folders, from 1 other GitHub owner. This page covers the copy in jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills, which our catalogue first saw on October 7, 2026.
Libsbml Network Modeling next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libsbml Network Modeling this skilljaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills | 370 | 1 repos | ~8.8k | Automated safety check: Pass | LGPL-2.1 | |
| 13C Metabolic Flux AnalysisK-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills | 48k | 1 repos | ~3.2k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Alphagenome Single Variant Analysisgoogle-deepmind/science-skills | 3.2k | 2 repos | ~3k | Automated safety check: Notes | Apache-2.0 | |
| Singlecell Qcxuzhougeng/wisp-science | 1k | — | ~1.6k | Automated safety check: Pass | AGPL-3.0 | |
| Trackplotygidtu/trackplot | 109 | — | ~1.9k | Automated safety check: Pass | BSD-3-Clause | |
| UniProt Database Accessdavila7/claude-code-templates | 32k | 15 repos | ~1.7k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT |
K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills
Estimates reaction fluxes inside cells from steady-state carbon-13 labeling data with a bundled mfapy-based solver, and reports which fluxes the data pin down.
google-deepmind/science-skills
Analyzes genetic variant effects on gene expression (RNA-seq), chromatin accessibility (DNASE), histone marks (ChIP), and transcription factors using the AlphaGenome API.
xuzhougeng/wisp-science
A skill your agent uses when designing, reviewing, or implementing single-cell RNA-seq QC in Python or R with a human-in-the-loop, data-driven approach.
ygidtu/trackplot
Generate sashimi-style genome visualization plots (coverage, line, heatmap, IGV read-by-read, HiC, circRNA, motif) from BAM/bigWig/depth/HiC inputs.
davila7/claude-code-templates
Queries the UniProt REST API directly to search proteins, fetch FASTA sequences, map IDs between databases and read Swiss-Prot and TrEMBL entries.
QING1105/ezST
End-to-end 10x Visium spatial transcriptomics analysis workflow with staged execution and human review gates.
jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills
3Dmol.js WebGL molecular visualization emitted as self-contained HTML.
jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills
Constraint-based (COBRA) analysis of genome-scale metabolic models: FBA, FVA, knockouts, flux sampling, production envelopes, gapfilling, media optimization.
jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills
Read, write, and edit ChemDraw CDX/CDXML files with RDKit's rdkit.Chem.rdChemDraw plus direct XML editing, always paired with a rendered PNG.
jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills
Programmatic PubMed access via NCBI E-utilities REST API. An agent skill from jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.
jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills
Scaffold a new SciAgent-Skills entry. An agent skill from jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.
jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills
Annotated matrices for single-cell genomics. An agent skill from jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills.
Works with
Categories
Build, read, validate, modify SBML biological network models via the libSBML Python API. Libsbml Network Modeling is an agent skill from jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills. Build, read, validate, modify SBML biological network models via the libSBML Python API.
Libsbml Network Modeling fits situations like: programmatically constructing ODE; constraint-based metabolic/signaling models in SBML.
Run `npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling in jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills) into .claude/skills/libsbml-network-modeling in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
Run `npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/systems-biology-multiomics/libsbml-network-modeling in jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills) into .agents/skills/libsbml-network-modeling in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills --skill libsbml-network-modeling -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/libsbml-network-modeling, .gemini/skills/libsbml-network-modeling, .github/skills/libsbml-network-modeling and .opencode/skills/libsbml-network-modeling in your project.
Going by SKILL.md and its folder, Libsbml Network Modeling needs the command-line tools its instructions call (pip). Our summary lists: Python 3.
SKILL.md names 4 domains. In commands or code: ebi.ac.uk; the agent is likely to contact it when it follows the instructions. As links in the text: sbml.org, doi.org and github.com. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.
Libsbml Network Modeling is published under the LGPL-2.1 licence (declared in SKILL.md). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.
About 8.8k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 35k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Libsbml Network Modeling: 13C Metabolic Flux Analysis (K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills, 48k stars), Alphagenome Single Variant Analysis (google-deepmind/science-skills, 3.2k stars), Singlecell Qc (xuzhougeng/wisp-science, 1k stars) and Trackplot (ygidtu/trackplot, 109 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
jaechang-hits (a GitHub user) maintains it in jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills, which has 370 GitHub stars. The repository holds 163 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on September 29, 2026.
Source: jaechang-hits/SciAgent-Skills on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.